Traffic stop leads to bomb cache

A Sebastopol man is in hot water today after Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies say they found 49 bombs in his car during a traffic stop.

Robert Justin Vasseur was driving his Ford sedan Tuesday evening on Highway 116 in Sebastopol when the 22-year-old was pulled over by police for two vehicle-code violations.

After finding out he was driving on a suspended license, the deputy arrested him and searched his vehicle. Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Raasch said it was during the search when they found 49 homemade bombs with fuses, a felony offense.

Deputies specialized in handling explosives were called in to handle the bombs, which, according to SFGate, were each bigger than a standard firecracker.

Raasch said that deputies found more explosives and explosive-making materials when they searched Vasseur’s home. They also confiscated several rifles and handguns Vasseur had at his house. During their search of the residence, deputies arrested a 50-year-old woman for lunging at officers during their search, Raasch said.

Vasseur is at the Sonoma County jail for possession of explosive devices and material to make them and driving on a suspended license. He is expected to be arraigned Thursday afternoon and his bail as set at $50,000.